Interaction of drought and ozone exposure on isoprene emission from extensively cultivated poplar

The combined effects of ozone (O₃) and drought on isoprene emission were studied for the first time. Young hybrid poplars (clone 546, Populus deltoides cv. 55/56 x P. deltoides cv. Imperial) were exposed to O₃ (charcoal‐filtered air, CF, and non‐filtered air +40 ppb, E‐O₃) and soil water stress (well‐watered, WW, and mild drought, MD, one‐third irrigation) for 96 days. Consistent with light‐saturated photosynthesis (A_sat), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i) and chlorophyll content, isoprene emission depended on drought, O₃, leaf position and sampling time. Drought stimulated emission (+38.4%), and O₃ decreased it (?40.4%). Ozone increased the carbon cost per unit of isoprene emission. Ozone and drought effects were stronger in middle leaves (13th–15th from the apex) than in upper leaves (6th–8th). Only A_sat showed a significant interaction between O₃ and drought. When the responses were up‐scaled to the entire‐plant level, however, drought effects on total leaf area translated into around twice higher emission from WW plants in clean air than in E‐O₃. Our results suggest that direct effects on plant emission rates and changes in total leaf area may affect isoprene emission from intensively cultivated hybrid poplar under combined MD and O₃ exposure, with important feedbacks for air quality.     

Rising CO2 from historical concentrations enhances the physiological performance of Brassica napus seedlings under optimal water supply but not under reduced water availability

The productivity of many important crops is significantly threatened by water shortage, and the elevated atmospheric CO₂ can significantly interact with physiological processes and crop responses to drought. We examined the effects of three different CO₂ concentrations (historical ~300 ppm, ambient ~400 ppm and elevated ~700 ppm) on physiological traits of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) seedlings subjected to well‐watered and reduced water availability. Our data show (1) that, as expected, increasing CO₂ level positively modulates leaf photosynthetic traits, leaf water‐use efficiency and growth under non‐stressed conditions, although a pronounced acclimation of photosynthesis to elevated CO₂ occurred; (2) that the predicted elevated CO₂ concentration does not reduce total evapotranspiration under drought when compared with present (400 ppm) and historical (300 ppm) concentrations because of a larger leaf area that does not buffer transpiration; and (3) that accordingly, the physiological traits analysed decreased similarly under stress for all CO₂ concentrations. Our data support the hypothesis that increasing CO₂ concentrations may not significantly counteract the negative effect of increasing drought intensity on Brassica napus performance.     

不同施氮水平对巨桉幼树耐旱生理特征的影响

采用盆栽方法,研究了巨桉幼树在N0(不施氮)、N1(1.4g尿素·盆-1)、N2(2.8g尿素·盆-1)3个氮处理水平下,连续干旱不同时间[分别停水0(D0)、3、6、9、12、15、18d]时巨桉的生理响应。结果显示:(1)除D0外,试验期内N1和N2处理的巨桉叶片含水量(LWC)、叶片相对含水量(LRWC)和叶片保水力(LWHC)基本低于N0水平,尤其在干旱中期最为明显,表明在干旱胁迫前施氮可能对巨桉叶片水分生理产生负面作用。(2)干旱初期,氮处理间的可溶性蛋白(SP)和可溶性糖(SS)含量的差异不大,而干旱处理后期(9~18d),N0处理的SP和SS较初期明显增加,但N1和N2处理相对于N0变化较为平缓,表明施氮不利于SP和SS积累;N1和N2处理下脯氨酸(Pro)含量的增幅随着干旱胁迫时间的延长明显大于N0处理。(3)随干旱时间延长干旱程度加重,N1、N2处理巨桉叶片过氧化氢(H2O2)和丙二醛(MDA)含量明显高于N0处理,表明施氮使得巨桉在干旱条件下水分缺乏更为严重,产生更多的活性氧(ROS)。(4)整个干旱处理期内,施氮并未显著改变巨桉的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和抗坏血酸(AsA)含量,但N1和N2的过氧化物酶(POD)活性明显高于N0。(5)施氮增加了巨桉叶片的色素含量并在干旱初期和中期保持较高水平,在干旱初期(0~3d)增加了巨桉叶片的净光合速率(Pn),但随着干旱时间的延长而迅速下降;施氮(N1、N2)的蒸腾速率(Tr)和气孔导度(Gs)在干旱初期均显著小于N0,但在干旱中后期(6d以后)各处理间差异不显著且均处于极低水平。研究表明,水分充足时施氮有助于增强巨桉的光合同化能力,促进其生长,但遇到持续干旱时施氮更易面临水分亏缺,降低其抵抗干旱的能力,因此在巨桉人工林的经营管理过程中,不应在干旱或季节性干旱即将到来之前施氮,若干旱过程中需施氮则应采取灌溉等途径保证其充足的水分供应。     

Drought increases freezing tolerance of both leaves and xylem of Larrea tridentata

Drought and freezing are both known to limit desert plant distributions, but the interaction of these stressors is poorly understood. Drought may increase freezing tolerance in leaves while decreasing it in the xylem, potentially creating a mismatch between water supply and demand. To test this hypothesis, we subjected Larrea tridentata juveniles grown in a greenhouse under well‐watered or drought conditions to minimum temperatures ranging from ?8 to ?24 °C. We measured survival, leaf retention, gas exchange, cell death, freezing point depression and leaf‐specific xylem hydraulic conductance (k_l). Drought‐exposed plants exhibited smaller decreases in gas exchange after exposure to ?8 °C compared to well‐watered plants. Drought also conferred a significant positive effect on leaf, xylem and whole‐plant function following exposure to ?15 °C; drought‐exposed plants exhibited less cell death, greater leaf retention, higher k_l and higher rates of gas exchange than well‐watered plants. Both drought‐exposed and well‐watered plants experienced 100% mortality following exposure to ?24 °C. By documenting the combined effects of drought and freezing stress, our data provide insight into the mechanisms determining plant survival and performance following freezing and the potential for shifts in L. tridentata abundance and range in the face of changing temperature and precipitation regimes.     

Deciphering the mechanisms involved in Portulaca oleracea (C4) response to drought: metabolic changes including crassulacean acid‐like metabolism induction and reversal upon re‐watering

Portulaca oleracea is a C₄ plant; however, under drought it can change its carbon fixation metabolism into a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM)‐like one. While the C₃‐CAM shift is well known, the C₄‐CAM transition has only been described in Portulaca. Here, a CAM‐like metabolism was induced in P. oleracea by drought and then reversed by re‐watering. Physiological and biochemical approaches were undertaken to evaluate the drought and recovery responses. In CAM‐like plants, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were transitory affected and non‐radiative energy dissipation mechanisms were induced. Induction of flavonoids, betalains and antioxidant machinery may be involved in photosynthetic machinery protection. Metabolic analysis highlights a clear metabolic shift, when a CAM‐like metabolism is induced and then reversed. Increases in nitrogenous compounds like free amino acids and urea, and of pinitol could contribute to withstand drought. Reciprocal variations in arginase and urease in drought‐stressed and in re‐watered plants suggest urea synthesis is strictly regulated. Recovery of C₄ metabolism was accounted by CO₂ assimilation pattern and malate levels. Increases in glycerol and in polyamines would be of importance of re‐watered plants. Collectively, in P. oleracea multiple strategies, from induction of several metabolites to the transitory development of a CAM‐like metabolism, participate to enhance its adaptation to drought.     

Responses of plant biomass,photosynthesis and lipid peroxidation to warming and precipitation change in two dominant species (Stipa grandis and Leymus chinensis) from North China Grasslands

Influential factors of global change affect plant carbon uptake and biomass simultaneously. Although the effects from warming and precipitation change have been extensive studied separately, the responses of plant biomass, photosynthesis, and lipid peroxidation to the interaction of these factors are still not fully understood. In this study, we examined the physiological responses of two dominant plant species from grasslands of northern China with different functional traits to combinations of five simulated warming patterns and five simulated precipitation patterns in environment‐controlled chambers. Our results showed that the biomass, net CO₂ assimilation rate (P_n), maximal efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry (F_v/F_m), and chlorophyll content (Chl) of Stipa grandis and Leymus chinensis were enhanced by moderate warming and plus precipitation, but they declined drastically with high temperature and drought. High temperature and drought also led to significant malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, which had a negative correlation with leaf biomass. The lower level of lipid peroxidation in leaves of S. grandis suggests that this species is better protected from oxidative damage under heat stress, drought stress and their interactive conditions than L. chinensis. Using the subordinate function values method, we found S. grandis to be more sensitive to climate change than L. chinensis and the gross biomass and root biomass of S. grandis and the leaf biomass of L. chinensis were most sensitive to climate change. Furthermore, the P_n of both S. grandis and L. chinensis had a significant linear relationship with F_v/F_m and Chl, indicating that carbon assimilation may be caused by nonstomatal limitations.     

抗风桐(Pisonia grandis)的生态生物学特征

对收集于广西桂林的17份野生毛葡萄种质和24份栽培葡萄种质,分别使用12条ISSR和12条SCoT引物进行了遗传多样性和亲缘关系检测。结果表明：两种分子标记均能产生较丰富的多态性片段,可有效应用于葡萄的遗传多样性检测,但在聚类分析结果上表现出一定的差异性,SCoT分子标记能更好地区分野生种质和栽培品种,说明SCoT分子标记在葡萄遗传多样性检测和系统进化研究上可能更有优势。从SCoT聚类结果上看,广西植物研究所收集的3个野生毛葡萄种质zws1、zws2和zws3相对其它野生种质而言,更偏向于与栽培种质聚为一类,说明这一类野生毛葡萄可能是这些栽培品种的原始亲本来源之一。不同的野生种质聚为多个类群,并表现出明显的地域特性,但遗传距离相对较远,说明桂林野生毛葡萄资源具有丰富的遗传变异。栽培品种没有明显的聚类特点,可能因为所选用的栽培品种的地域代表性并不是很强,也可能是因为栽培品种在不断的人工杂交选育过程中,遗传背景趋向一致,遗传多样性降低。该研究证明SCoT分子标记在葡萄遗传多样性研究上具有一定的优势。该研究结果为桂林毛葡萄资源的保护、利用和品种选育提供了理论依据,也为葡萄的系统进化研究提供了参考。     

Physiological behaviors of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acer mono</Emphasis> under drought and low light

The seedlings of Acer mono Maxim. were exposed to two watering regimes (well watered (100% of field capacity) and drought (30% of field capacity)) and two light levels (high light (100% of full sunlight) and low light (15% of full sunlight)) in a greenhouse to assess growth, photosynthesis, and foliar nutrient traits of woody plants under drought and low light. Drought significantly reduced growth and gas exchange characteristics of A. mono, including net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE). Also, drought reduced relative water content (RWC) and foliar C and N concentrations, but increased the C/N ratio. P _N and C concentration were lower under drought and low light than in any other treatment, indicating that deep shade might seriously decrease C assimilation. However, the negative effect induced by drought was alleviated by improving RWC and maintaining C balance, and therefore low-light seedlings accumulated more biomass than those under high light when they were exposed to drought. Our results showed that trade-off and facilitation effects of drought and low light might be complementary and alter in different species.     

Drought responses,phenotypic plasticity and survival of Mediterranean species in two different microclimatic sites

• Climate models predict a further drying of the Mediterranean summer. One way for plant species to persist during such climate changes is through acclimation. Here, we determine the extent to which trait plasticity in response to drought differs between species and between sites, and address the question whether there is a trade‐off between drought survival and phenotypic plasticity.
• Throughout the summer we measured physiological traits (photosynthesis – A_max, stomatal conductance – g_s, transpiration – E, leaf water potential – ψl) and structural traits (specific leaf area – SLA, leaf density – LD, leaf dry matter content – LDMC, leaf relative water content – LRWC) of leaves of eight woody species in two sites with slightly different microclimate (north‐ versus south‐facing slopes) in southern Spain. Plant recovery and survival was estimated after the summer drought period.
• We found high trait variability between species. In most variables, phenotypic plasticity was lower in the drier site. Phenotypic plasticity of SLA and LDMC correlated negatively with drought survival, which suggests a trade‐off between them. On the other hand, high phenotypic plasticity of SLA and LDMC was positively related to traits associated with rapid recovery and growth after the drought period.
• Although phenotypic plasticity is generally seen as favourable during stress conditions, here it seemed beneficial for favourable conditions. We propose that in environments with fluctuating drought periods there can be a trade‐off between drought survival and growth during favourable conditions. When climate become drier, species with high drought survival but low phenotypic plasticity might be selected for.

     

Interactive effects of UV radiation and water availability on seedlings of six woody Mediterranean species

To assess the effects of UV radiation and its interaction with water availability on Mediterranean plants, we performed an experiment with seedlings of six Mediterranean species (three mesophytes vs three xerophytes) grown in a glasshouse from May to October under three UV conditions (without UV, with UVA and with UVA+UVB) and two irrigation levels (watered to saturation and low watered). Morphological, physiological and biochemical measures were taken. Exposure to UVA+UVB increased the overall leaf mass per area (LMA) and the leaf carotenoids/chlorophyll a + b ratio of plants in relation to plants grown without UV or with UVA, respectively. In contrast, we did not find a general effect of UV on the leaf content of phenols or UVB‐absorbing compounds of the studied species. Regarding plant growth, UV inhibited the above‐ground biomass production of well‐watered plants of Pistacia lentiscus. Conversely, under low irrigation, UVA tended to abolish the reduction in growth experienced by P. lentiscus plants growing in a UV‐free environment, in accordance with UVA‐enhanced apparent electron transport rate (ETR) values under drought in this species. UVA also induced an overall increase in root biomass when plants of the studied species were grown under a low water supply. In conclusion, while plant exposition to UVA favored root growth under water shortage, UVB addition only gave rise to photoprotective responses, such as the increase in LMA or in the leaf carotenoids/chlorophyll a + b ratio of plants. Species‐specific responses to UV were not related with the xerophytic or mesophytic character of the studied species.     

Leaf responses to drought stress in Mediterranean accessions of Solanum lycopersicum: anatomical adaptations in relation to gas exchange parameters

In a previous study, important acclimation to water stress was observed in the Ramellet tomato cultivar (TR) from the Balearic Islands, related to an increase in the water‐use efficiency through modifications in both stomatal (g_s) and mesophyll conductances (g_m). In the present work, the comparison of physiological and morphological traits between TR accessions grown with and without water stress confirmed that variability in the photosynthetic capacity was mostly explained by differences in the diffusion of CO₂ through stomata and leaf mesophyll. Maximization of g_m under both treatments was mainly achieved through adjustments in the mesophyll thickness and porosity and the surface area of chloroplasts exposed to intercellular airspace (S_c). In addition, the lower g_m/S_c ratio for a given porosity in drought‐acclimated plants suggests that the decrease in g_m was due to an increased cell wall thickness. Stomatal conductance was also affected by drought‐associated changes in the morphological properties of stomata, in an accession and treatment‐dependent manner. The results confirm the presence of advantageous physiological traits in the response to drought stress in Mediterranean accessions of tomato, and relate them to particular changes in the leaf anatomical properties, suggesting specific adaptive processes operating at the leaf anatomical level.     

Responses to drought preconditioning in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Eucalyptus globulus</Emphasis> Labill. provenances

Shoot water relations and morphological responses to drought preconditioning were studied by subjecting 5-month-old seedlings of three provenances of Eucalyptus globulus to different water regimes for 36 days in a greenhouse pot study. Moderately stressed plants were watered every 6 days and severely stressed plants were watered every 9 days. Control plants were watered daily. Drought cycles induced significant changes in morphological and physiological characteristics. Preconditioned seedlings were smaller in size, root collar diameter, height, and leaf area than control seedlings. Shoot/root ratio was not affected by drought. Osmotic potential at full turgor (ψπ_FT) and osmotic potential at turgor loss point (ψπ_TLP) were significantly lower and the magnitude of osmotic adjustment was significantly higher under the severe than under the moderate stress treatment. In severely stressed plants a decrease of turgid mass/dry mass contributed to osmotic adjustment. In a subsequent acclimation test, preconditioned seedlings showed higher values of stomatal conductance, predawn relative water content and water potential and lower mortality than control plants. These variables were significantly related to ψπ_FT. We assume that the reduced leaf area and osmotic adjustment observed in preconditioned seedlings contributed to drought acclimation in the selected E. globulus provenances leading to better rates of gas exchange and improved water status than non-conditioned plants. Provenances exhibited differences in their responses to drought, albeit mainly morphological differences. E. globulus subsp. bicostata from Tumbarumba grew more quickly (larger diameter and height relative growth rate) than the other provenances, implying a greater ability to tolerate water stress. It can be expected that preconditioned seedlings will display greater tolerance of water stress than non-conditioned plants and perform better during early establishment (higher survival and early growth).     

巨桉不同状态叶片浸提液对萝卜幼苗形态和抗性生理特性的影响

以珍珠岩作为基质,选择4年生巨桉(Eucalyptus grandis)嫩叶(T1)、老叶(T2)、表层凋落叶(T3)、腐解凋落叶(T4)4种状态的叶片,每种状态叶片设置3个浸提液浓度水平[分别称取风干叶片30g、15g和7.5g加入900mL蒸馏水进行浸提,以蒸馏水为对照(CK)],采用水培法研究了不同状态叶片浸提液对萝卜(Raphanus sativus)幼苗形态生长和抗性生理特性的影响。结果显示:(1)巨桉不同状态叶片浸提液显著抑制了萝卜幼苗的根长,其中嫩叶的抑制作用最强,腐解凋落叶抑制作用最弱。(2)各状态叶片浸提液处理后萝卜幼苗中过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)的活性均呈现升高趋势,嫩叶各浓度处理以及其他状态叶片的高浓度处理下超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性升高,而其余浓度处理的SOD活性降低。(3)各状态叶片浸提液处理萝卜幼苗的丙二醛(MDA)含量在低浓度处理时低于CK,其余处理下则高于CK。(4)嫩叶各浓度处理萝卜幼苗的可溶性糖(SS)含量显著高于CK,且随着老叶和表层凋落叶浸提液浓度的升高,幼苗SS含量先升后降,腐解凋落叶各浓度处理下则呈渐增的趋势;而可溶性蛋白(SP)含量则随浸提液浓度的增加而升高,且T2和T3两种状态叶片的各浓度处理与CK差异显著。研究表明,巨桉不同状态叶片浸提液对萝卜幼苗生长和抗性生理产生了强烈的抑制作用,其中以嫩叶最强,老叶和表层凋落叶次之,腐解凋落叶最弱。     

A NOVEL EPIPHYTIC CYANOBACTERIAL SPECIES FROM THE GENUS BRASILONEMA CAUSING DAMAGE TO EUCALYPTUS LEAVES1

A cyanobacterial mat colonizing the leaves of Eucalyptus grandis was determined to be responsible for serious damage affecting the growth and development of whole plants under the clonal hybrid nursery conditions. The dominant cyanobacterial species was isolated in BG‐11 medium lacking a source of combined nitrogen and identified by cell morphology characters and molecular phylogenetic analysis (16S rRNA gene and cpcBA‐IGS sequences). The isolated strain represents a novel species of the genus Brasilonema and is designated Brasilonema octagenarum strain UFV‐E1. Thin sections of E. grandis leaves analyzed by light and electron microscopy showed that the B. octagenarum UFV‐E1 filaments penetrate into the leaf mesophyll. The depth of infection and the mechanism by which the cyanobacterium invades leaf tissue were not determined. A major consequence of colonization by this cyanobacterium is a reduction in photosynthesis in the host since the cyanobacterial mats decrease the amount of light incident on leaf surfaces. Moreover, the cyanobacteria also interfere with stomatal gas exchange, decreasing CO₂ assimilation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an epiphytic cyanobacterial species causing damage to E. grandis leaves.     

Differences in xylem and leaf hydraulic traits explain differences in drought tolerance among mature Amazon rainforest trees

Considerable uncertainty surrounds the impacts of anthropogenic climate change on the composition and structure of Amazon forests. Building upon results from two large‐scale ecosystem drought experiments in the eastern Brazilian Amazon that observed increases in mortality rates among some tree species but not others, in this study we investigate the physiological traits underpinning these differential demographic responses. Xylem pressure at 50% conductivity (xylem‐P₅₀), leaf turgor loss point (TLP), cellular osmotic potential (π_o), and cellular bulk modulus of elasticity (ε), all traits mechanistically linked to drought tolerance, were measured on upper canopy branches and leaves of mature trees from selected species growing at the two drought experiment sites. Each species was placed a priori into one of four plant functional type (PFT) categories: drought‐tolerant versus drought‐intolerant based on observed mortality rates, and subdivided into early‐ versus late‐successional based on wood density. We tested the hypotheses that the measured traits would be significantly different between the four PFTs and that they would be spatially conserved across the two experimental sites. Xylem‐P₅₀, TLP, and π_o, but not ε, occurred at significantly higher water potentials for the drought‐intolerant PFT compared to the drought‐tolerant PFT; however, there were no significant differences between the early‐ and late‐successional PFTs. These results suggest that these three traits are important for determining drought tolerance, and are largely independent of wood density—a trait commonly associated with successional status. Differences in these physiological traits that occurred between the drought‐tolerant and drought‐intolerant PFTs were conserved between the two research sites, even though they had different soil types and dry‐season lengths. This more detailed understanding of how xylem and leaf hydraulic traits vary between co‐occuring drought‐tolerant and drought‐intolerant tropical tree species promises to facilitate a much‐needed improvement in the representation of plant hydraulics within terrestrial ecosystem and biosphere models, which will enhance our ability to make robust predictions of how future changes in climate will affect tropical forests.     

An overview of models of stomatal conductance at the leaf level

Stomata play a key role in plant adaptation to changing environmental conditions as they control both water losses and CO₂ uptake. Particularly, in the context of global change, simulations of the consequences of drought on crop plants are needed to design more efficient and water‐saving cropping systems. However, most of the models of stomatal conductance (g_s) developed at the leaf level link g_s to environmental factors or net photosynthesis (A_net), but do not include satisfactorily the effects of drought, impairing our capacity to simulate plant functioning in conditions of limited water supply. The objective of this review was to draw an up‐to‐date picture of the g_s models, from the empirical to the process‐based ones, along with their mechanistic or deterministic bases. It focuses on models capable to account for multiple environmental influences with emphasis on drought conditions. We examine how models that have been proposed for well‐watered conditions can be combined with those specifically designed to deal with drought conditions. Ideas for future improvements of g_s models are discussed: the issue of co‐regulation of g_s and A_net; the roles of CO₂, absissic acid and H₂O₂; and finally, how to better address the new challenges arising from the issue of global change.     

Does engineering abscisic acid biosynthesis in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia modify stomatal response to drought?

The consequences of manipulating abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis rates on stomatal response to drought were analysed in wild‐type, a full‐deficient mutant and four under‐producing transgenic lines of N. plumbaginifolia. The roles of ABA, xylem sap pH and leaf water potential were investigated under four experimental conditions: feeding detached leaves with varying ABA concentration; injecting exogenous ABA into well‐watered plants; and withholding irrigation on pot‐grown plants, either intact or grafted onto tobacco. Changes in ABA synthesis abilities among lines did not affect stomatal sensitivity to ABA concentration in the leaf xylem sap ([ABA]_xyl), as evidenced with exogenous ABA supplies and natural increases of [ABA]_xyl in grafted plants subjected to drought. The ABA‐deficient mutant, which is uncultivable under normal evaporative demand, was grafted onto tobacco stock and then presented the same stomatal response to [ABA]_xyl as wild‐type and other lines. This reinforces the dominant role of ABA in controlling stomatal response to drought in N. plumbaginifolia whereas roles of leaf water potential and xylem sap pH were excluded under all studied conditions. However, when plants were submitted to soil drying onto their own roots, stomatal response to [ABA]_xyl slightly differed among lines. It is suggested, consistently with all the results, that an additional root signal of soil drying modulates stomatal response to [ABA]_xyl.     

Photosynthetic performance and growth traits in Pennisetum centrasiaticum exposed to drought and rewatering under different soil nutrient regimes

Responses of plants exposed to drought and rewatering have been well documented; however, little is known concerning strategies of psammophyte to drought and rewatering under different soil nutrient regimes. For this study, Pennisetum centrasiaticum under two soil nutrient regimes was subjected to progressive drought and subsequent rewatering. Soil water status, gas exchange characteristics, chlorophyll a fluorescence characteristics as well as biomass traits were measured to investigate ecophysiological responses. Net photosynthesis rate (P _n), stomatal conductance (g _s), water use efficiency, maximum quantum efficiency of photosynthesis system II (PSII, F _V/F _M), electron transport flux per cross section (ET₀/CS₀), and performance index on cross section basis (PI_CS) were suppressed during drought periods for both nutrient regimes. Meanwhile, leaf intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i ), minimal fluorescence intensity (F ₀), and dissipated energy flux per cross section (DI₀/CS₀) increased. Reversible downregulation of PSII photochemistry and enhanced thermal dissipation of excess excitation energy (DI₀/CS₀) contributed to enhanced photo-protection in drought-stressed plants. Thus, the results indicate that P. centrasiaticum is capable of withstanding and surviving extreme drought events, and the recovery pattern of stressed P. centrasiaticum under both nutrient regimes was similar. However, fertilization increased the biomass and the variation in gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence characteristics during drought periods. Additionally, fertilization accelerated the process of drought and aggravated stress under extreme drought events. Thus, the fertilization strategy used in P. centrasiaticum restoration should be carefully selected—fertilization may not always be beneficial.     

Intraspecific variation in embolism resistance and stem anatomy across four sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) accessions

Drought‐induced xylem embolism is a key process closely related to plant mortality during extreme drought events. However, this process has been poorly investigated in crop species to date, despite the observed decline of crop productivity under extreme drought conditions. Interspecific variation in hydraulic traits has frequently been reported, but less is known about intraspecific variation in crops. We assessed the intraspecific variability of embolism resistance in four sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) accessions grown in well‐watered conditions. Vulnerability to embolism was determined by the in situ flow‐centrifuge method (cavitron), and possible trade‐offs between xylem safety, xylem efficiency and growth were assessed. The relationship between stem anatomy and hydraulic traits was also investigated. Mean P ₅₀ was ?3 MPa, but significant variation was observed between accessions, with values ranging between ?2.67 and ?3.22 MPa. Embolism resistance was negatively related to growth and positively related to xylem‐specific hydraulic conductivity. There is, therefore, a trade‐off between hydraulic safety and growth but not between hydraulic safety and efficiency. Finally, we found that a few anatomical traits, such as vessel density and the area of the vessel lumen relative to that of the secondary xylem, were related to embolism resistance, whereas stem tissue lignification was not. Further investigations are now required to investigate the link between the observed variability of embolism resistance and yield, to facilitate the identification of breeding strategies to improve yields in an increasingly arid world.     

干旱和遮荫对马尾松幼苗生长和光合特性的影响

为探究马尾松对干旱和遮荫胁迫的生理响应规律和适应机制,以2年生马尾松幼苗为对象,设置对照(CK)、模拟干旱(DR)、遮荫(LL)以及干旱与遮荫的交互处理(DRLL)4种环境,研究干旱和遮荫对马尾松幼苗的生长和光合生理特性的影响。结果表明:(1)在干旱、遮荫和二者的交互处理下,马尾松幼苗的基径和株高增长量均显著减小,且二者的交互处理加重了干旱和遮荫单一处理下的减小趋势,二者交互作用的影响符合"相互作用理论"。(2)在干旱处理下,针叶长度和比叶面积减小,净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度和细胞间隙CO_2浓度显著降低,水分利用效率显著增加,光合色素含量基本不变。(3)在遮荫处理下,针叶长度和比叶面积增大,净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度显著降低,光合色素含量显著增加,水分利用效率和细胞间隙CO_2浓度基本未发生改变。(4)二者的交互处理下,针叶长度、比叶面积减小,净光合速率、蒸腾速率和气孔导度显著降低,且降低程度大于干旱单一处理,光合色素含量显著增加,但其增加程度小于遮荫单一处理。说明干旱和遮荫均能抑制马尾松植株的生长,但其光合生理特性在干旱和遮荫胁迫下分别表现出不同的响应特征。在干旱处理下,通过牺牲针叶长度和比叶面积、调节气孔导度达到保水目的来适应干旱环境;在遮荫处理下,通过增大针叶长度、比叶面积和光合色素含量来响应遮荫环境。在二者的交互处理下,干旱胁迫导致马尾松针叶长度、比叶面积和气孔导度的减小趋势不仅未因遮荫环境而得到缓解,而且还削弱了对光合色素的合成能力,因此,二者的交互作用会进一步加重对马尾松生长的抑制。